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Mat-Su weighs a flood emergency and a tax overhaul

The Mat-Su Assembly takes up a Talkeetna flood emergency and a November ballot plan that would swap a new 3% sales tax for a cap on property taxes.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Mat-Su Valley, Alaska
Cover image for article: Mat-Su weighs a flood emergency and a tax overhaul

A Tlingit artist crossed the border to teach Anchorage kids an ancient craft

A Tlingit artist traveled from British Columbia to Anchorage to teach kids the ancient art of bentwood box making — a watertight box bent from a single seamless plank.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: A Tlingit artist crossed the border to teach Anchorage kids an ancient craft

One town, six citations: Homer stands out in Bristol Bay

Six people from Homer turned up in a single batch of Bristol Bay fishing citations — more than any other town. Whether that's coincidence or something more isn't yet clear.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Bristol Bay, Alaska
Cover image for article: One town, six citations: Homer stands out in Bristol Bay

New York hiker airlifted after head injury on Reed Lakes trail

NY resident got hurt at Reed Lakes. Be careful Reed Lakes. The rocks can get slippery.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Hatcher Pass, Alaska
Cover image for article: New York hiker airlifted after head injury on Reed Lakes trail

Soldotna man arrested after alleged robbery, assault at smoke shop

A Soldotna man was arrested after shoving a clerk at a smoke shop on Kalifornsky Beach Road and threatening to steal cigarettes Saturday afternoon.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Soldotna, Alaska
Cover image for article: Soldotna man arrested after alleged robbery, assault at smoke shop

A slowdown on the Seward Highway this week

A 45 mph limit is on between mileposts 14 and 16 on the Seward Highway for roadside cleanup through July 15 — a stretch that's part of the road's crash-prone Safety Corridor.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Seward Highway, Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: A slowdown on the Seward Highway this week

Stalled disaster funds are now building 48 homes in Anchorage and Cordova

Nearly $7M in disaster-recovery money that sat idle after a stalled Habitat project is finally building 48 senior and family homes in Anchorage and Cordova.

Melinda Communities.Newsby Melinda Communities.News2mo ago1 min read
Anchorage and Cordova, Alaska
Cover image for article: Stalled disaster funds are now building 48 homes in Anchorage and Cordova

A capsize, a night on the bank, and a morning-after airlift

Two boaters capsized on the remote, glacier-fed Killey River and spent the night on the bank — warm, fed, and in cell contact — before troopers flew them out the next day.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Killey River, Alaska
Cover image for article: A capsize, a night on the bank, and a morning-after airlift

A man is charged with sexually abusing a minor near Soldotna in 2019

A man who once lived near Soldotna is charged with a 2019 sexual abuse of a minor, in a case troopers opened in 2025 after a report of past abuse.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Soldotna, Alaska

Anchorage wetlands plan gets first update in over a decade as federal rules shift

Anchorage's wetlands permit rules changed in 2021 when federal oversight shifted, and the city's 2014 management plan is finally getting its first update to reflect that reality.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News2mo ago2 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Anchorage wetlands plan gets first update in over a decade as federal rules shift

Fatal crash at Glenn Highway S Curves kills two, closes corridor Thursday morning

A Ford F150 crossed the median at Glenn Highway S Curves on Thursday morning, killing two drivers and sending a child to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min read
Anchorage
Cover image for article: Fatal crash at Glenn Highway S Curves kills two, closes corridor Thursday morning

Convicted child abuser killed by troopers after armed standoff near Whittier

A man convicted of child sexual abuse was killed by troopers near Whittier after he armored up and pointed a gun at officers from an anchored boat, days after fleeing sentencing.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Whittier, Alaska
Cover image for article: Convicted child abuser killed by troopers after armed standoff near Whittier

A Big Lake man is charged with assault after a report at a school parking lot

Alaska State Troopers arrested a Big Lake man Thursday after witnesses reported an assault inside a vehicle at Big Lake Elementary School parking lot.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Big Lake, Alaska
Cover image for article: A Big Lake man is charged with assault after a report at a school parking lot

Fatal crash at Glenn Highway S Curves slows Anchorage commute Thursday

One person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the Glenn hwy.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Fatal crash at Glenn Highway S Curves slows Anchorage commute Thursday

The sockeye are running strong on the Kenai, and the state just doubled your limit

Good news for Kenai anglers and dipnetters: strong sockeye runs just pushed the daily limit to six fish on the Kenai, Russian, and Kasilof — with more dipnet room on the Kasilof, too.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Cover image for article: The sockeye are running strong on the Kenai, and the state just doubled your limit

A Kenai woman is mauled by a bear on her own front deck

A Kenai woman was seriously hurt when a brown bear sow attacked her on her front deck — drawn in, troopers say, by bird feeders in the yard, on a peninsula that's a bear-attack hot spot.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Kenai, Alaska
Cover image for article: A Kenai woman is mauled by a bear on her own front deck

Where thousands of seabirds flew, a Kodiak commissioner counted 30

A Native Kodiak commissioner counted 30 seabirds where thousands once flew, and says the borough's new 20-year plan must reckon with that — and with 7,000 years of Indigenous knowledge.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Kodiak Island, Alaska
Cover image for article: Where thousands of seabirds flew, a Kodiak commissioner counted 30

A Kodiak rezone pitched as conservation would also curb development

A Kodiak landowner wants to rezone oceanfront lots as "conservation" — bigger parcels, a salmon-creek buffer, and, not incidentally, a lot less development on the coast.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Kodiak Island, Alaska
Cover image for article: A Kodiak rezone pitched as conservation would also curb development

Homer man charged after woman reports repeated strangulation

A Homer man faces 15 charges after a woman reported he strangled her three times in one morning, a pattern that anti-violence workers say is among the deadliest forms of domestic abuse.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Homer, Alaska
Cover image for article: Homer man charged after woman reports repeated strangulation

Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission to weigh shop-house and self-storage ordinances

Anchorage's Planning and Zoning Commission will vote on making homes easier to build in commercial zones while restricting large parking lots and self-storage facilities.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Anchorage
Cover image for article: Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission to weigh shop-house and self-storage ordinances

Mat-Su power bills climb as Alaska's energy squeeze bites

Mat-Su electric bills are rising about $14.53 a month — driven by a cold spring, low hydro, and new Hilcorp gas-storage fees, a snapshot of Southcentral's tight energy supply.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
Cover image for article: Mat-Su power bills climb as Alaska's energy squeeze bites

A busy week on the Kenai brings a run of fishing citations

Four anglers were cited in one morning on the Kenai — three out-of-staters keeping snagged sockeye, and an Anchorage woman dipnetting two days before the season opened.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Kenai, Alaska
Cover image for article: A busy week on the Kenai brings a run of fishing citations

Wasilla traffic stop surfaces two residents wanted on theft charges

Alaska State Troopers stopped a Wasilla pickup for equipment violations early Wednesday and arrested both occupants on active theft warrants.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Wasilla, Alaska
Cover image for article: Wasilla traffic stop surfaces two residents wanted on theft charges

Anchorage man held without bail after CSAM distribution investigation

Anchorage man held without bail on probation violations after Task Force Dawnbreaker investigation into child sexual abuse material distribution; additional charges expected.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Anchorage man held without bail after CSAM distribution investigation

Convicted sex offender flees Palmer courthouse, departs Whittier by sailboat

A convicted child abuser fled the Palmer courthouse Monday. Philip Phillips sailed into Prince William Sound to evade capture.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min read
Prince William Sound, Alaska
Cover image for article: Convicted sex offender flees Palmer courthouse, departs Whittier by sailboat

State agency warns Girdwood Parks Plan shows unauthorized trails on airport land

Alaska DOT&PF told Anchorage the Girdwood Parks Master Plan maps four trail segments across state airport property without permission, risking public access conflicts with aviation uses.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Girdwood, Alaska
Cover image for article: State agency warns Girdwood Parks Plan shows unauthorized trails on airport land

Alaska National Guard completes 4 rescues over July 4 weekend

Alaska National Guard helicopters rescued four people over the July 4 weekend from remote Interior and Southcentral locations, including two critically ill patients and two stranded hikers.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Alaska
Cover image for article: Alaska National Guard completes 4 rescues over July 4 weekend

Anchorage Assembly approves $750K True North grant after amendments fail and crisis-care dispute divides members

Anchorage Assembly approved a $750,000 grant to True North Recovery for a Fairview behavioral health facility after rejecting two amendments that would have required written limits on crisis care.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min read
Anchorage
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly approves $750K True North grant after amendments fail and crisis-care dispute divides members

Alaska's investment arm hands its director more power over public money

AIDEA gave its director a standing $4.5M fund and the power to pick which projects get vetted with public money — faster, but with less board and public visibility.

Melinda Communities.Newsby Melinda Communities.News2mo ago2 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Alaska's investment arm hands its director more power over public money

Kenai council funds $110K roof shortfall, sets Oct. 31 deadline for Senior Center and shelter work

Kenai City Council approved $110,000 Tuesday to fix roofs at the senior center and animal shelter by Oct. 31 after a bid came in higher than expected.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Kenai, Alaska
Cover image for article: Kenai council funds $110K roof shortfall, sets Oct. 31 deadline for Senior Center and shelter work

Anchorage board won't reopen a school it may not have fully closed

Anchorage School Board rejected a motion to reopen Campbell STEM Elementary with new state money, but revealed the school may not be legally closed yet, creating a potential opening for reversal.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Anchorage board won't reopen a school it may not have fully closed

A strong El Niño is likely this winter, warm and wet for Southern Alaska

A strong El Niño is 90% likely this winter, tilting Southern Alaska warmer and wetter — but on the coast that often means rain over snow, and the Interior may stay dry.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min read
Southern Alaska
Cover image for article: A strong El Niño is likely this winter, warm and wet for Southern Alaska

Anchorage School Board balks at a $2.8M curriculum buy members hadn't seen

Anchorage School Board members got handed a $2.8M curriculum bill at a summer meeting and basically said: first we're hearing of it.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Anchorage
Cover image for article: Anchorage School Board balks at a $2.8M curriculum buy members hadn't seen

A hiker lost his shoes in the snow near Snowbird Hut — in July

A hiker lost his shoes in the snow near Snowbird Hut on the Fourth of July, stranding his group — a reminder that it can be summer in town and still winter up on the glacier.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min read
Willow, Alaska
Cover image for article: A hiker lost his shoes in the snow near Snowbird Hut — in July

So few kings are left in the Situk that the state closed their last pool

The Situk's kings have nearly vanished — 100 counted at midseason — so the state closed a popular fishing hole to shield the few survivors from accidental hooking.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Situk River, Alaska
Cover image for article: So few kings are left in the Situk that the state closed their last pool

Anchorage won $191 million for the port that feeds Alaska

Anchorage won a record $191M from the federal government, all of it going to rebuild the port that brings in 90% of Alaska's food and fuel — and to keep those costs off Alaskans' bills.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Anchorage won $191 million for the port that feeds Alaska

Tessera hiring event comes to Mat-Su Job Center July 29

Tessera is hiring veterans, military spouses, and people with disabilities at the Mat-Su Job Center on July 29 for facility management, manufacturing, and warehousing roles.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Wasilla, Alaska
Cover image for article: Tessera hiring event comes to Mat-Su Job Center July 29

Anchorage Assembly takes up repeal of 43-year Sullivan Arena ticket surcharge

Anchorage Assembly is considering repealing a 43-year-old ticket surcharge on Sullivan Arena events that collected $111,687 in one year.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Anchorage
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly takes up repeal of 43-year Sullivan Arena ticket surcharge

Wasilla moves to reject a 59-unit affordable housing project

Wasilla is set to formally deny a 59-unit affordable housing project — a clash between a real housing shortage and neighbors who want the site to stay commercial.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min read
Wasilla, Alaska
Cover image for article: Wasilla moves to reject a 59-unit affordable housing project

Upper Copper River king salmon sport fishery closed through August 10

Alaska closes all Upper Copper River king salmon sport fishing from July 10 through August 10 after the lowest run count on record threatens the escapement goal.

Bill AlaskaNewsby Bill AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min read
Upper Copper River, Alaska
Cover image for article: Upper Copper River king salmon sport fishery closed through August 10